Painting a Tamiya 1/35 scale figure or, practice makes perfect

Today at Badgerworks, we attempt to improve our figure painting skills, especially faces, something we've struggled with in the past, in order to demonstrate that, as with any pursuit, practice is necessary to get anywhere.
One of the best reference videos we've found for painting faces can be found in this great video by Darren Latham:
• Video
Please consider supporting me on Patreon - / steamgeezer
Music:
Theme - SteamGeezer Shuffle - Agricultural Light & Magic
In-episode - MCMRecords.co.uk
Affiliate links (tools and materials that let you help support the channel at no extra cost to you)
I'll add to this list as time goes on.
Please note I buy all of my own tools and materials and all opinions are my own. I use everything in this list. You may find these items cheaper from other vendors, the links are for reference - it pays to shop around.
3.7v Miniature Smoke Machine parts:
RX2008 box - amzn.to/2KSIAUO
Vape coil set with wicks - amzn.to/2U1g9Xw
20A 18650 battery (x2) - amzn.to/33ZvVab
5v 25mm fan (x5) - amzn.to/2ZcEbEZ
Please note that these items are only for guidance. You will need to ensure whatever parts you buy are suitable for the project you have in mind. Also keep in mind that, if misused or abused, a smoke machine may melt or even catch fire.
Modeling and general tools and supplies:
Harder & Steenbeck Evolution - amzn.to/2JiPaV2
Trigger Airbrush - amzn.to/2E4GL3m
Starter Airbrush Kit - amzn.to/2Vmavyf
1/8"BSP Airbrush quick release kit - amzn.to/2JF27Ys
Airbrush connector adaptor kit - amzn.to/2VzoK7O
Pro Arte miniature brush set - amzn.to/2Jhm4W1
Archimedes Drill - amzn.to/2XC7Ou5
Air Wick Wax Burner - amzn.to/2Dntm5N
Motor pack - amzn.to/2HNRCBV
Vallejo Airbrush Thinner - amzn.to/2JEyCGu
Vallejo Matt Polyurethane Varnish - amzn.to/2Vojhfk
3ml pipettes (200) - amzn.to/2JD5OOs
3M vinyl masking tape - amzn.to/2JCEbVH
Silicone pickup tool - amzn.to/2Mycn81
Circle template - amzn.to/2WPSskI
Trumpeter large photoetch break (bending tool) - amzn.to/2yHtYRk
Graphite pencils - amzn.to/2Ilk11n
5v TP4056 charging circuit (5 pack) - amzn.to/2X4wW0x
3.7v 160mah lithium polymer battery - amzn.to/2X1rzze
SMD5050 LED (100 pack) - amzn.to/2NaOx2C
5v Relay board (x5) - amzn.to/2TZzY1m
Pololu 6 channel servo controller - amzn.to/2ZtKEGB
SG90 servo (x5) - amzn.to/340eOEU
Solder Sucker - amzn.to/2ZYKpna
Tobar Smart Putty - amzn.to/2AslbTT
Anti-static tweezer set - amzn.to/2mg1HxW

[@marccxxshammer6643]

Cool 👍. Thank you for showing

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thank you for watching :-)

[@jakoplieger7454]

I Love the Moment when you happily pointing on the cat Made my day

[@jakoplieger7454]

One little Tip you should paint some black on the places where shadows are

[@cmartin1959-qq2mi]

Thanks so much for the tips !

[@SteamGeezerUK]

You're very welcome, and thanks for watching :-)

[@easyR95]

nice painting my friend 😏👍

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks :-)

[@t74guard78]

I have been using the little 1/4 oz bottle of Testors flat tan for the base flesh tone for 45 years now and it always looked great on figures. When one usually thinks of a tan color it would seem to be more of a light brown. But this flat tan has some red in it to give it a more peachy color making it what I think is a perfect flesh tone. I am sure you know what little Testors bottles I am talking about. They have been around for years and years. Try it for your base and then do your highlighting and shadowing.

[@the-primered-thumb]

Quality, I got this kit for my birthday 😉👍

[@melmoore6885]

Done a real good job there mate, very informative video thanks for that, look forward to seeing more from you soon.

[@screamingmonk9059]

Thanks really enjoyed video and learnt something.

[@13bravo72]

Learned alot! Yes, your right, practice, practice, practice! Well done sir!👍👍👍

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for watching :-)

[@ciarancummins9259]

Simply brilliant.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks :-)

[@Treeline9171]

Thank you so much for providing this video. It certainly takes some of the fear out of painting figures. The figures turned out very nicely. - Jeff

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks, and thanks for watching :-)

[@diamondpointpictures3193]

Very good job. I have a lot of practicing to do. lol

[@SteamGeezerUK]

We all do. I've certainly improved my figure painting, but there's still a long way to go :-)

[@michaelgershon870]

Great tutorial! Thanks!!!!!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@wwkdiecastmore5647]

Great looking figure!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks :-)

[@robbo1068]

Really nice job.....excellent video for beginners and not so new to watch. Well done for making it look so simple. Sometimes it's hard to follow the steps given by more practiced and expert figure painters. Thanks again and congrats.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks, I appreciate it. One of the main reasons I make these videos is to try and pass on what I have learned to others, although in this case, the video by Darren Latham I linked in the description is very useful, well worth a watch.

[@keithliversidge4323]

top job

[@Bryzerse]

These videos are so interesting, and the finished products are so well made, keep up the good work!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks, I appreciate it :-)

[@samuraifool912]

Really enjoyed this Clip. Some great tips and even experimental idea's, with a Laugh thrown in for good measure..! ( not all serious like..!!) Thanx for your efforts and Cost cutting idea's. Great Work. Cheers Kim in Oz. 😎

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching :-)

[@paulhennessy5627]

Superb stuff as always. Gives me hope for my own figure panting ...

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Practice - it's all about the practice :-)

[@JazzWithJakeInSF]

Thanks for the "learn by doing" reminder (and the showing of the doing so clearly). Your nose for the frugal suggests a variant of an old Firesign Theater joke: "It's free, just a pound."

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@ruebenglab4939]

Great video! Painting figures, scares the hell out of me. Guess I just have to try..try..and try a little more! Thanks for this

[@SteamGeezerUK]

You're welcome and thanks for watching :-)

[@ada42klm]

Wow! Outstanding little diorama. I think you did a great job on the figure. The face, the cat and ammunition came out awesome. Kudos to you my friend.

[@glencwilson]

This is something that I have been trying to get better at. Though the techniques are similar to others it is always useful to see it being done and with mainly only three paint colours. The wet palette looks like an essential item to use too. Thanks for sharing.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks. I think these methods are quite widely used, as you say, but it was my first real attempt at them and, yes, the wet palette came in extremely handy, I'd certainly recommend it.

[@glencwilson]

Have tried the wet palette and that really does make a huge difference. I have been doing the tank repair crew and as you say practice makes, er, so far a zombie tank repair crew but getting there.

[@wheezypalacemodels7726]

Great watch and something I am trying to get into doing. I am no artist or pro painter but following this gives me the push to have a go…subbed…Chris

[@sammyseguin2978]

I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything when you pulled out the bottle of Citadel "Vermin Fur"

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Happy to help ;-)

[@steenbirketoft6250]

Excellent video! Like you, I’m not so good in figurepainting, but this video is very informative and inspiring. So thx a lot. Greetings from Denmark.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching :-)

[@dennishowlett7390]

Really good - must give this sort of thing a go though I must say it scares the heck out of me. But - no try, no gain.

[@4englishlies875]

Wow mate , thanks a lot now you have made it so I will have to try this.....lol you definitely have made it look simpler than I've very thought it could be, maybe that's why I've stayed a way from paint people. Great job thanks for pulling the cloud away from this.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Glad to help. I would recommend watching the video I linked in the description - he makes a much better job of it than I, although I would argue what I did was less complicated.

[@davewilliams6172]

You should have a go, it can be addictive though

[@samuraifool912]

Mixed Herbs and Vermin fur. Magic..!!

[@ianthomson9363]

The finished article looks much better than some of the figures I've seen at model shows- the shading is quite subtle which is, I think, the secret of success. It's given me ideas for doing my own figures which have minimal shading on them and I often find that it ends up being too dramatic. I'm very tempted to get this Tamiya set just for the cats!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks, glad to be of assistance. I think there are quite a few vendors of 1/35 scale animals, including a set I saw once of all cats, but they tend to be quite expensive. This set cost me £5 for two figures (with two poses for each figure), two cats, a bunch of shells and ammo crates and a spare wheel for a tank. Not bad really.

[@ianthomson9363]

@@SteamGeezerUK Scale animals are expensive- I recently shelled out £9 for a 1/48 dachshund to go on the parcel shelf of a 1/24 Mini. I'd planned to make it into a nodding dog but it's far too small for such delicate work. Right, must go, I've got to do some surgery on the driver as her legs are much too long.

[@EMTBAFV]

I made one from my.old airbrush case boxes thing with the blue foam out and left the thin sponge in bottom, I soak that with 2 cut to shape of the airbrush case the water doesn't rip right through it with 2 layers and drained out just to leave damp sponge left in the bottom! The type of the sponge that comes in the bottom of your airbrush box its actually very good for ushing for the wet pallet plus you have the nice lid I still use mine today! Best thing I've thought of using for one paint stays wet 3 days with lid closed not bad atoll!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Good idea :-)

[@paulgerald5808]

Your acrylic paint similar to what artist use in doing acrylic paintings . Thank you .

[@brianartillery]

Painting faces on figures does my head in, frankly. The last time I did it was in the 1980's, on some Airfix 'Multipose' figures. I had customised one to look like Indiana Jones, and he was on a small diorama I'd made, fighting some Afrika Korps figures. The whole was way too nice not to paint, but it took me ages, and made me swear a fair bit. Did look good, when finished, though. I only make small-scale models now, and although the figures will have their uniforms painted properly, their faces and hands get a paint of lightened flesh tone, and when that's dried, a touch of that lovely 'flesh wash' to add shadow and tone. Saying that, I wish that this had been about in the 1980's. There were tutorials in magazines, etc., but they were all of a kind of: 'But you should already know this, and be able to do it without being told, dammit!' sort of tone, and quite offputting. Thanks for putting this up. The only thing I'd have done differently, would have been to leave the parts on the frame, and brush painted them with thinned down matt white as a primer. 'Trip Hazard' looks superb. Nice one.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

That's one of the reasons I started making these videos. There are way too many "tutorials" out there that assume a certain level of knowledge, on all different subjects. I used to run many training courses back in the day, both civilian and military, and the first thing I was taught was "assume the audience knows nothing". I love watching the real pro's make models, but they often show you what they're doing but not how they're doing it, so once I figure something out, I try and pass it on. On this one, however, I must give full credit to Darren Latham - it's his video primarily that set me up for this.

[@davewilliams6172]

Nice job Steve Figures can be real fun especially when you mod them. I have recently finished the Tamiya British Infantry Patrol and am working on the scenery for them....a scratch built French Farmhouse . What I really want is an RAF ground crew in 1/24th for the modded 1/24th Trumpeter Hurricane I'm working on, but the only thing close is the Rally crew, which can be massaged into shape. I hope you get to do a few more figures, they can be rather addictive! Keep up the good work mate!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks. I did buy a few sets of Tamiya figures and I have an idea for a diorama, but I'm worried it'll turn out massive :-)

[@davewilliams6172]

Wait till you do a diorama for a 1/24th aircraft lol...then it does get massive lol

[@johntailing5283]

Another cracking vid, not forgetting you were doing this for the camera, detail is great, , I wish I was as ‘bad’ at it as you are! BTW, checking out the figures stance, head, mouth & hand- should you make another of these guys, I’d curiously love to see him holding a sandwich rather than large ordinance! ! ? ?

[@SteamGeezerUK]

That's not a bad idea... :-)

[@cygnusx10]

Great finish, well done. I only have one (very small) criticism, and that's that the gap / seam between the body and the arms around the shoulders could probably do with filling... but as this is just 'practice' then fair enough. Other than that; great vid and nicely done with the wet palette. I think proper baking parchment (rather than greaseproof paper) might solve your curling issues too. Great vid, thanks for sharing, and he definitely does look like a bloke!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks. I did think about filling the gaps, but I was curious to see what it would look like without. As for the baking parchment, we have some somewhere. I'll have to dig it out.

[@clivetucker7070]

Excellent result! You can have a lot of fun with figures, I particularly enjoy hacking the limbs up and reforming them into different poses using thin copper wire to act as the joints, then fill with Milliput or similar. I can also recommend Hornet heads as potential alternatives to those supplied with the kits. Usual disclaimers apply of course!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

I've done that in the past. The modification part I'm OK with, it's just the painting I struggle with ;-)

[@SuperTexasBlues]

what's in the plastic tub that looks like some kind of gel? excellent work and very creative use of kitchen supplies on your bae! nicely done

[@-cinnamaon_studios-7646]

I have never seen anyone use Citadel paints on Tamiya miniatures before, then again I can't say that I haven't done it!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

I just use whatever colour I think looks right and is close to hand :-)

[@TheHateSpeechChannel]

I was looking at kits in hobby craft yesterday haha, a bit of advice from an award winner, the hairline shading...do the same but use the same colour as the hair, it makes the transition much better, the reddish colour just looks wrong but a splendid job nonetheless.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Well, the guy I got the technique from was painting Warhammer 40K figures and, to be brutally honest, it looked way better when he did it, but like I said, it's all about the practice :-)

[@davewilliams6172]

I use a little bit of raw umber and blue mixed with the medium flesh for the shadow lines, just as I would if doing a portrait....I learnt from this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6XVcnSprcd8g6s

[@TheHateSpeechChannel]

@@SteamGeezerUK i was taught / shown buy a guy that had won at euro millitaire, i followed his advice and won gold at national level at my first attempt, (go me!). you can practice for a 100 years but if your using the wrong technique... the results will be the same. Good luck and thanks for your entertaining videos.

[@peterwalker6868]

Good job, will you be going to Scale Model World in Telford this year.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks, and sadly no. Bit far for me, I'm afraid.

[@styrenehelp]

I've finally managed to watch this after getting off my flight. A couple days after admittedly. Have to say I found this a very interesting and enlightening video. I have several to paint and this has made me more confident to do so. I just need to ask a question. When you did the high or low lights was the base coat still wet, thus allowing you to blend the tones better?

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Glad to hear it :-) As far as the highlights go, from the video I watched I took it to let each layer dry before moving on to the next one, but this is a matter of seconds at this scale. The shading is done with highly thinned coats, almost translucent, so they kind of blend themselves, if that makes sense. By building up very thin layers, the blending kind of takes care of itself.

[@styrenehelp]

@@SteamGeezerUK received and understood👍

[@gingetaylor4489]

Just an idea. On modern smart phones you can use the app 'Google Translate'. You use the camera on your phone, hover over the words and it will translate it from Japanese into English.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Good idea. I'll have to try that.

[@rob9472]

Looks fantastic I always do enjoy these videos, Glad to see you painted the trip-hazard the internet loves cats, Have you ever considered inert or dummy ammunition for things like this? I feel like the tank shell would look even better if a .22 round of some kind were used in place based on scale.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks. Getting inert ammunition here in the UK is a lot more difficult than it used to be. I think I'll stick with the plastic, but it's a good idea, thanks.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

@OriginalYithian I do buy resin stuff occasionally, but I tend to stick with out of the box builds as much as possible, partly to save money and also to show what can be done with just the box contents.

[@roadyhobbycorner5926]

Again very interesting vid ;) Btw are you going to telford this year?

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks. I'm afraid not - bit far for me.

[@roadyhobbycorner5926]

For me also, comming from belguim. But I have booked a hotel ;) so can stay the 2 days

[@georgemartinez1720]

Dont feel bad I iam the same way About sculpting that's why I practice on Childrens modeling Clay And Hine Made Sculpting Tools

[@MF-kv8cn]

the corresponding color to 70.334 is 70.338 German tank crew highlights 1. My question is, is one supposed to mix the highlight color with the base or use it on top like a triad type system where mixing is not involved?

[@georgemartinez1720]

What Brand of Paint Do you use

[@charlesf9050]

Did I see you in bovington tank museum video?

[@SteamGeezerUK]

You did indeed. It was a great honour to be asked to take part. I actually did a follow up video with all of the questions they asked - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5fUdnWVbptsaLc

[@johntailing5283]

“Vermin Fur” , , , , , LMAO !

[@SteamGeezerUK]

😁

[@cushionbelly2519]

😂😂😂

[@georgemartinez1720]

What Primer do you use

[@SteamGeezerUK]

It's Hycote grey primer. It's sold here in the UK by a shop called The Range, and also available on Amazon - amzn.to/3inrkbc

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

While we're on figures, have you ever had experience of Historex figures?

[@SteamGeezerUK]

I'd have to say no. I don't buy figures often. I have some Airfix ones I used a while ago in 1/72 and 1/48 but apart from that the only figures I ever really had were wargaming figures.

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

When I was younger and my eyes were keener and hand steadier I gravitated towards their Napoleonic figurines as being the most satisfying to paint...when they went well that is. Hahahahaha Thanks for the videos. Always entertaining

[@Cr4igpeterson]

Field grey? It’s green right? Or am I loosing more of my marbles?

[@PurpleTT99]

my thoughts too

[@SteamGeezerUK]

I know, right? But the colour is field grey. The colour recommended on the box is Tamiya XF-65 Field Grey, which I don't have but looking online it also looks green. I think it's what's known as a green/grey.

[@PurpleTT99]

​@@SteamGeezerUK Ha yeah I think it's fine. Last time I built that set was in the early 70s and I'm sure I painted them (badly) with Humbrol enamel Matt 33. But then i was under maybe 8 years old!

[@frankmike9931]

Unless I missed it, you never mentioned your like or dislike of the wet pallet.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

I actually found it very useful. I use it all the time now.

[@felipin6665]

Is there anything you don’t dare with? 😊

[@crazysoxcourier]

everyone knows their cat is secretly plotting to kill them!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Exactly. Cats are just waiting for their owners to die so they can feast on the corpse :-)

[@pimkolle8798]

Hi, why didn't you paint the eyes ?

[@SteamGeezerUK]

It's a question of perspective. You can either look at this as looking at a 1/35th scale figure from an inch or two away, or you can think of it as looking at a six foot man from about 50 feet away. If you look at someone from that distance, you can't really see their eyes. I apply this to most of my models, the same way I don't apply tiny details to large models because, if you look at them from the distance the scale of the model suggests, those tiny details simply disappear into the background. It's a matter of personal preference. Personally I think seeing the eyes on a figure at this scale looks weird, but some people want that level of detail. Either way is fine with me :-)

[@pimkolle8798]

Thanks, you are right, had not seen it that way 👍😁

[@PingPong_4ever]

The face looks a bit like Schweinsteiger. 😂 maybe you cann make a video with sorastro. He is a very good figure painter and i trink from the UK as well. Than you may can learn from each other 🙂

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks, I'll look into it.

[@Startrooper5555]

My god you don't half sound like the comedian Mark Steel.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Do I? I've had a few people say I sound like Griff Rhys Jones :-)

[@huzun8493]

good video and thanks not include any BGM!!!

[@rogersmart1393]

38:08 Leave it for 24hrs... Meh. Joke.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Who said anything about leaving it for 24 hours? I only put it down while I painted the shell and the cat - maybe an hour or so... :-)

[@rogersmart1393]

It was a sneaky little reference to the "leave-it-for-24hrs brigade" rant video, if you see what I mean ;)

[@SteamGeezerUK]

@@rogersmart1393 Ah, right. Gotcha :-)

[@markusadanitsch648]

Amateur painting not in nearest up to perfect🙄

[@vojkotravner6413]

Super painting, bad video, sorry . . .